I have a The North Face jacket and there are velcro bands on the front zipper flap. When I remove the jacket, I always make sure to meticulously stick the hook side with the loop side or else it tends to catch on my precious wool sweaters and eat them. And then when I need it, I have to undo the velcro and it makes an annoying tearing noise.

I'm wondering if I should remove them and install metal snaps instead. Which one are better for extreme conditions with snow and frost development, velcro or snaps?

Thanks
Frankie

Hi Frankie,

I prefer snaps over velcro on outdoor clothing and equipment pouches/packs, mostly to avoid the alerting noise factor. The velcro ripping noise identifies your location to wildlife and other people of your intentions.

Even snaps can make a minor noise (a slight jingle in the female part) so I put a very small amount of adhesive (Goop) in them to keep them quiet.

I think buttons (especially slotted buttons), buckles and ties are even better than snaps as they do not freeze up and can be repaired in the field with simple tools (e.g needle/thread). I have a Woods 3 Star down sleeping robe that was bought by my father about 40 years ago, it had snap closures; all but one snap has popped off and have now been replaced by large buttons.

My new cell phone pouch is made by Nite-ize and the flap closes with a hidden magnet, it seems to work but I cannot give much of a review on it as this is the first day I have worn it.

Mike

I like snaps too. After a few years, velcro gets old and doesn;t work as well.

Do you know by any chance where I can buy sets of spare Canadian slotted buttons here in Canada?

Thanks
Frankie

Sorry Frankie,

The only ones I have seen are on Canadian Forces clothing and some great EMT pants I have.

If you search the Forum site I remember there was a post on them about a month ago and someone had found a supplier.

Good luck and please post a source if you find one.

Thanks,

Mike

I was the one who posted it (I bought olive drab Canadian Forces wind overpants from a surplus store) and found a supplier but it was from the UK...

Frankie

Hi Again Frankie,

I just did a search on the forum and found that you were the lead on that slotted button post a month ago; please disregard my last reply.

Thanks,

Mike

I prefer snaps too, but vlecro is easier to manipulate with glove os mittens on. AS far as the magnets on your cell phone pouch Youll ne happy with it I have been using cell phone pouches with magnets for about 3 years and the nite-ize for about a year now and won't buy them with snaps or velcro again.

I've had magnetic closure on a cell phone case and my Palm PDA case. They work amazingly well.

Be careful not to let magnetic closures (such as on the cell phone case) get near the magnetic strips on credit cards and other similar devices. That will destroy the encoded information.

Velcro is better choice than snaps since the velcro doesn't put stress on small area of fabric. The tearing noise from velcro isn't an issue if one isn't soldier on duty overseas. I had snap button that put alot of pressue on small area of the fabric causing tear in fabic. The tear is difficult to repair.

Velcro can be easily replaced if it wears out.